The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-04-01
A RUSSIAN GHOST STORY.

A RUSSIAN GHOST STORY.
II is q well-knOwn fact that Sc, Pet
ersburg owes several of its most mag
nificent edifices TO the Empress Eliza
beth. daughter of Peter the Great and
Catherine the First. She prevailed up
on Count Rastslli, the first architect Of
the eighteenth century. to come to ST.
Petersburg, and under his direction the
Winter Palace, the Escurial of the
North, was built. About the same time
Rastrelli also built the PagencOps, for
merly the Palace GernitschefE, a superb
edifice, the imposing Palace StroganofI.
and the Church of the SmOlna Monas-
tur, constructed in u style as noble as
it is beautiful. The Palace Beloselski-
Beloserski, now called Kotschubeli, al
so owes its origin to Rastrelh. II was
restored and ornamented with balcon-
les of beautiful design by the Russian
architect Stackenschmidt, who had al
so erected numerous palaces.
While the Winter Palace was In pro-
cess of construction Elizabeth occupied
q small palace BOlschol- MerskolE
uated in the broad avenue on the sea.
The building exists no longer. II once
stood on the ide4fical spOt-a fact
which is not known even to all Peters
burgians-where the Frenchman Jaco.
has now built his immense house.
When the Winter Palace was finish
ed the Empress appointed q day for
taking possession of it; and the elite Of
the Guards, a corps which was eompos-
ed entirely of noblemen, mounted guard
in the new castle. A long, dark corri-
dor leads to the middle door of the
white or throne room. In the corridor
two young noblemen were posted. II
was approaching 10 o'clock and the ar
rival of the Empress was momentarily
expected. Suddenly the attention Of
the young men was attracted by 3
bright streak of hight which seemed to
glide between them in the dark passage.
Their eyes followed the light, and they
saw that it streamed through the key
hole Of tire thrOne-rOOm. Who could
have any business at such an unusual
hour in q room which was designed
only for the reception of foreign Am
bassadors9 One Of the young men con-
sidered it his duty to investigate the
matter, and approached the door for
that purpose, but as soon as he had
glanced through the keyhole he called
to his cOmrade in whisper to come
nearer.
''The Empress has already arrived"
whispered he; .'she is seated on the
throne, directly opposite the door"
The other also looked through the
aperture and soon verified this to be a
fact. The Empress was seated in tran
quill dignity on an elevated golden
stool under the red velvet canopy,
richly adorned with the imperial arms
of Russia. the double eagle. The room
was brilliantly lighted; but it was inn
possible TO ascertain II any other per-
sons were present, as the thickness Of
the door-lOck allowed no side view of
the apartment. The young men re-
turned to their posts and waited. Not
long after one of the higher officers APP
peared and said:
will not come tonight"
but her Majesty is already here"
WHAT WhoP"
Her Majesty is in the thrOne-room."
'lmpossibler
You can see for Yourself"
The officer looked, Immediately rec
ognized the Empress, and said Won
deringly:
II cannot understand what the Mar
shall means. He has Just arrived, and
ordered that all the guards be with
drawn; the Empress has changed her
mind, and will not arrive tonight.
Nevertheless, see that she is here.
Could she have come secretly At all
events | will ascertain what new orders
the Marshal has issued. Meanwhile
do you remain here, as the Empress
may pass this way" The Marshal,
Prince Kuratin, was fortunately still in
the palace, and as soon as he heard of
the mysterious report FASTENED to the
corridor, and peeped in his turn
through the keyhole.
my God! 1t is the Empress! Her
Majesty herself What can it meanP"
exclaimed he "How can this be pos
sible, when l have Just left her pres
'ence? She was dressed in her usual
everyday attire, and now see her ar
rayed in her royal robes and jewels.
There must be some mystery behind
this. Let all the entrances to the
throne-room be guarded! Let no one
be allowed to go in or out. Twill hast
en- to report" The distance between
the two houses being quite short, the
Marshall soon reached the small pal
ace. temporarily occupied by the En-
press.
s4'Where is the Empress?"
''In her sleeping apartment"
The Prince looked at the lady of hon.
or with suspicion, and said sharply:
''Are you sure that the Empress is
hereP"
''Of course; she is preparing to re-
tire" .,
Uniform her instantly that ! am
here"
In a few minutes Prince Kuratin,
much excited, was conducted into the
Empress's chamber. The Empress
stood before him in night negligee.
Kuratin turned pale.
WELL" said the Empress, '.you look
as II you had seen ghost What in
Heavens name is the matter with yotp
Is there any news from the armyp"
Kuratin hurriedly stated what he had
seen.
at Is a knavish trick" cried Eliza
beth. 1--WE will take nearer look ut
these comedians, ] will go In your
sleigh, Kuratin; you can mount behind.
Hurry
Arrived at the Winter Palace, the
castellan was ordered to bring the key
of the thrOne-room; six grenadiers were
commanded TO load their guns, and led
by the Empress the little troop betOok
n A A A. u